Little Badman and the invasion of the killer aunties by Humza Arshad and Henry White
Illus. by Aleksei Bitskoff. Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780241340608.
(Ages: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Family relationships,
Pakistanis in Great Britain, Rap music, Friendship, Missing persons,
Good and evil. Humza Khan is a typical 11-year-old who is prone to
making up stories and mucking around in class, but he does not see
this as a problem because he knows he will one day be the most
famous Rap artist the world has ever seen. He and his friends notice
something funny happening at school when, one by one, the staff
disappear and are replaced with Pakistani 'aunties' who seem
determined to fatten up the children. The great food seems wonderful
at first but slowly Humza, his friends Umer and Wendy realize it
must be part of an evil plan. The friends are brought closer
together by their need to solve this mystery. Humza's uncle, who is
called Grandpa because of his aged appearance, is also a character
that features in their hunt to find the truth.
Many Primary school boys will identify with Humza's character and
through the story he grows as a person to know and fully appreciate
his family through his adventures at school. As he says '. . . there
is nothing in the world like an alien slug invasion to make you
appreciate your loved ones . . . ' It is a fast-paced, rollicking
story that will keep the audience reading to the end.
Throughout the story we are given glimpses of the Pakistani culture
that forms so much of Humza's life in Britain. This may not be easy
for children in Australia to understand but it could bring about
some great discussion about immigration and refugees. The book is
written in first person and would be a good story to read aloud with
an upper primary class.
The author Humza Mohammed Arshad is an English actor, comedian and
writer of Pakistani descent. He is best known for his web series Diary
of a Bad Man (2010-2013) and Badman (2015-2018). Henry
White is a comedy writer who has written for TV, on-line and most
recently in children's fiction.
Gabrielle Anderson
The Curses by Laure Eve
Faber and Faber 2019. ISBN: 9780571328048.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. The Curses, sequel to The Graces,
follows The Grace children and their recently resurrected friend,
Wolf. Wolf is the first person who has ever been resurrected but
something's off with Wolf, is it just that he'd been dead and come
back or is he completely changed? No longer wary of the love he and
Fenrin share, the pair grow closer and more reckless. Meanwhile,
Thalia grows close to Nathaniel, their dead cousin's boyfriend who
only seems to be encouraged by Thalia and Iona's resemblance. Is it
only Summer that can see something's wrong? And how does the Grace
family curse play into all this?
Strange things have begun to happen in town and it seems witchcraft
is never far away. With River's power and the handful of other
amateurs trying their hand at magic, it's up to the residence
witches to reign in the magic before anyone else can be harmed. With
the help of River, the wealth of Marcus' supernatural knowledge, and
a great deal of initiative perhaps Fenrin, Thalia, and Summer can
clean up their mess before their parents find out.
With magic and plenty of mischief, Eve's novel explores grief,
greed, and making mistakes. This coming of age novel shows that
everyone has a lot of learn, regardless of their age with not only
the children but also the parents being shown as complicated and
conflicted beings. I would recommend for lovers of fantasy twelve
and up.
Kayla Gaskell
Queen of air and darkness by Cassandra Clare
Dark Artifices book 3. Simon and Schuster; 2018. ISBN:
9781471116704. 880p; p/b.
In this third instalment in the Dark Artifices series of
Shadowhunter novels, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn must deal
with the loss of Julian's sister and the Inquisitor, as well as the
oppressive machinations of the latter's replacement. Even more so
than usual for sequels, Queen of air and darkness is hard to
get into at the start, being part of a well established series and
spending a lot of time at the start dealing with the events of the
previous book. However, once the reader's caught up and the new plot
kicks into gear, there's plenty to like. While the antagonist's
racist agenda is a bit one-dimensional and old hat, it's not the
real focus, serving as a backdrop to explore troubled romances and
the coping of loss, which it does well.
The prose is descriptive and engaging, and Clare proves she knows
how to keep some levity in a grim situation without adversely
affecting the tone. Fans of Clare's other novels will find this just
as fantastic and enthralling as her other titles. The book makes use
of a diverse range of character representations including
transgender.
Some readers may be put off by the size of the book and due to the
vast thickness of the novel, this is recommended for avid readers,
lovers of Clare's other novels and bookworms. Although the sheer
engaging and impossible-to-stop reading way Clare writes for her
audiences, the story will seem like it is over quickly.
Vincent Hermann
Enchantee by Gita Trelease
Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509895977.
(Age: Young adult) Recommended. 8.5/10. Themes: Young Adult -
Fantasy, Romance, France and Paris 1789. An exciting fantasy tale
where the illustriously rich King Louis XVI, Marie Antoniette and
the image conscious aristocrats living in their palaces or the inner
courts of Versailles, are starkly presented against the diminished
poor peasants and their hovels. Arrogance and disregard for
humankind is contrasted against courage, persistence, fortitude and
devotion to the well-being of loved ones.
Orphaned seventeen year-old Camille strives to care for her frail
younger sister Sophie while learning to move away from an older,
abusive brother Alain, addicted to glamour, money and position. So
poor and desperate, Camille resorts to her limited knowledge of
inherited maternal 'magic' (Magie - dark margic) in order to make
money. After some surprises about her past and her abilities,
Camille learns that the magie will offer hope of a future of
security in terms of food, housing, health and safety. However, with
this lure, Camille begins to pursue grander schemes for herself and
her sister. Is she fast becoming addicted to gambling, like her
desperate brother? Is she quickly becoming addicted to magic as she
slowly loses herself?
Amongst all of this, Camille makes friends with aristocrats (a group
of people who she resents). Camille finds unexpected romantic love,
but is he attracted to the-true-to-herself Camille, or to her alter
ego the Baroness de La Fontaine? Double identities exist and will
slowly be exposed.
HOPE - is presented to her in the form of a new invention devised by
a small group of forward thinking gentlemen - to fly and be free.
Hope was instilled in Camille by her father who was a printer. He
taught her about the importance of freedom of the press. She learnt
the value of the word in print - 'It was a kind of magic. A magic to
alter the World'. This hope is what France needs in order to bring
about change, revolution - to begin to balance the massive divide
between the rich and the poor, between those with positions and the
common people. Enchantee is a wonderful debut historical fantasy novel by
Gita Trelease (who states that she is searching for a secret portal
to take her back to Versailles). This novel has so many messages for
readers who are looking for a story which enlightens while providing
page-turning entertainment.
Maria Burford
Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
The Witchlands book 3. Tor, 2019. ISBN: 9781447288855.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Witches and warlocks,
Battles. Fans of the first two books in the Witchlands series, Truthwitch
and Windwitch,
will welcome the story of Bloodwitch Aeduan, who has joined the
Threadwitch Iseult and the strange little girl, Owl to fight the
raiders who are destroying the countryside. However he will have to
come to terms with the actions of the Raider King, his father.
Meanwhile the Windwitch, Merik, is held by the Fury and must try to
save his friends' lives and Safi the Truthwitch is with the empress
who is trying to uncover a rebellion in her kingdom.
The world building in the Witchlands series is fascinating:
it is easy to believe in the court life of the empress that Safi
serves as well as the bleak countryside, the awful slaughter and the
strange monks and monastery. The cover too, will have instant
appeal.
These books need to be read in order as each follows the other and
builds on the motivations, courage and perseverance of the main
characters. There is action aplenty in this complex series and the
growth of the characters' understanding of what each stands for and
believes in, stands out. The author brings the series to a
satisfying conclusion, but not without some surprises and
heartbreak. This series will have broad appeal to readers of
fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Hop little bunnies by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892930.
(Ages: 0-3) Recommended. Themes; Bunnies, Lift the Flaps, Rhyming
Story. This comes after the similar title We're Going on an Egg
Hunt and is based on the popular Hop Little Bunnies
song. UK illustrator Laura Hughes's work is delightful, making the
book an instant visual winner. Her work is beautiful and young
children will love lifting the multiple flaps on every second page
to wake all the sleepy animals (they are sleeping on the front of
the flap, then awake underneath). The same format, illustrative
technique and text type was used for We're Going on an Egg Hunt
and it works so well. 'See the little bunnies sleeping till it's
noon. Shall we go and wake them with a merry tune? Oh how still, are
they ill?' There is lots of repetition here, favourite animals of
young children (sheep, chicks, bunnies, etc.) and animal sounds that
they will love joining in with. At the end we sing the animals a
happy bedtime song and they all go to sleep.
This will be a real favourite that can be read or sang at bedtime or
any other time of the day. Little ones familiar with the song will
probably even be up and hopping themselves!
Nicole Nelson
Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip
Fantasy Masterworks series. Gollanz, 2014. ISBN:
9781473205741.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Sorcerers, Princes
and princesses.
World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2003), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
for Adult Literature (2003). This award winning novel is a feast for
the fantasy lover, one for those who wants a challenge and something
different. Ombria is a strange place with a palace riddled with
secret passages and rooms. Buried beneath the city is a shadow city,
inhabited by ghosts and Mag, a waxling created by Faey, a powerful
sorceress. When the Prince of Ombria dies he leaves only a very
young son, Kyel, and Domina Pearl, a ruthless old woman, takes over
the kingdom as regent. She expels Lydea, the Prince's mistress,
leaving her to die. But Mag saves her and together with Ducon, the
prince's bastard nephew, they try to overcome Domina Pearl's evil
intentions and save Kyel.
Written in beautiful prose, Ombria in shadow brings to life a
strange world on many levels. The reader is taken on a wondrous trip
through dusty passages with strange doors in the palace, and on a
further journey through the city with Ducon as he draws shadowy
doors and eerie buildings. There is mystery about the worlds that
McKillip describes; there is even mystery about the ending and the
reader has to pause and reread to find understanding of the
connectedness of the worlds and of Mag and Ducon's role in them. And
the magic described is original and fascinating.
The love that Ducon and Lydea have for young Kyel is central to the
book and glows throughout. It is refreshing to have the love for a
child as the main theme rather than romantic love. The idea of
loyalty to those who are loved is also one to explore and ponder
over, especially that of Mag and Faey, who discovers love for her
waxling.
It is easy to see why Ombria in Shadow is still in print
after so many years. It is a perplexing, demanding and lyrical book
that will keep the reader thinking long after it is finished.
Pat Pledger
The Dyasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Pan Macmillian, 2019. ISBN: 9781760554163. paperback, 308 pg.
(Age: 11 - Young adults) Teenagers who can control the elements
(air, water, fire and earth) are being hunted down by a mad
scientist that genetically engineered them to do this while in their
mother's womb. What is there not to like in a paranormal book?
The story is about Foster and Tate and how they are drawn together
with their element of air which they never knew they had until they
turned eighteen. Their relationship and bond grow as they learn to
live together in hiding because they are being chased by the Core
Four of Eve, Luke Matthew and Mark. The Core Four are sent by Dr
Stewart the mad scientist. Foster and Tate are two of eight
teenagers that the Core Four are hunting down. It was good to meet
Charlotte and Bastien with the element of water.
It is definitely a YA (Young Adult) novel with some action but
mainly relationship stories. I found some cheesy but did enjoy
reading the book. The graphic pictures were good and helped you
visualise what happening.
Overall, I think readers are going to enjoy reading this series with
the quirky characters and romance. The paranormal aspects of the
elements add some action into the story. Looking forward to meeting
the next four teenagers with the elements of fire and earth and what
will happen to the Core Four with Dr Stewart.
I think it's aimed at females 11 to young adults.
Maria Komninos
Bright young dead by Jessica Fellowes
Mitford murders series. Hachette, 2018. ISBN: 9780751567205.
(Age: Older adolescent - Adult) This is undoubtedly a book set
firmly in the era of The Wealthy and The Rest of the World. The
children of The Wealthy are educated, erudite and spoiled, yet they
also expect that they will contribute, in an intellectual sense, to
something as exciting and challenging as 'solving a murder'. So,
reading this book demands, of the ordinary reader, a certain
positioning that forgives the idea of the wealthy as deserving of
their status and their intellect when it comes to something as
exciting as a murder, particularly when it happens in their large
residence.
Interestingly, there seems to be little feeling for the loss of a
human being, but plenty of interest in solving the murder. So,
forgiving them their sense of entitlement is necessary if one is to
enjoy the book, and it is quite a good murder mystery. The events
are credible and the interactions well-explored, giving us a clear
sense of the situation and living arrangements of the time and how
people felt and lived in England in that era.
This book would be suitable for older adolescent and adult readers
as Jessica Fellowes has constructed a good, strong and intriguing
storyline as well as believable situation and characters. In fact,
her characterization is deft, interesting and credible.
Elizabeth Bondar
The great Shelby Holmes and the coldest case by Elizabeth Eulberg
Illus. by Matt Robertson. The Great Shelby Holmes series,
Book 3. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781408871515.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, New York, Family
Issues, Separated parents, Mystery, Detectives, Problem Solving,
Figure Skating Champions, Diabetes. The newspaper calls them
'Harlem's Smartest Sleuths' and so enters 9 year olds Shelby Holmes
and John Watson on their next exciting case to solve.
After being contacted by Tatiana, the coach of a world famous figure
skater Jordan Nelson, Shelby and John are drawn into a highly
complex case involving difficult codes and intimidating characters.
Both of these young detectives must go undercover to earn the trust
of the champion figure skaters. Neither Shelby nor John can figure
skate and this provides some entertaining moments as they avoid
getting on the ice or spending as little time as possible going
through figure skating routines. Through deductive reasoning and the
deciphering of clues, the two friends eventually solve the case.
Throughout the story, Shelby's addiction to sugar and the fact her
parents have banned neighbourhood shops from selling it to her,
creates some light-hearted moments as Shelby thwarts this ban with
clever solutions. John, on the other hand has diabetes, and is very
careful with his diet. John is also dealing with his father visiting
from out of town and his passionate wish that his parents would
reunite. At times Shelby's whirlwind and single focused nature seems
insensitive to John's angst and naturally cautious disposition but
she surprises the reader with thoughtful actions in the end. There
are clever illustrations dotted throughout the book which complement
the fast paced action and enjoyable storyline.
Kathryn Beilby
Superman : Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780141386867.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Superheroes, Good
and evil. Having grown up with superman movies and comics set in the
50s, I found this version very refreshing as it is set in current
times. Mobile phones and laptops are common and there is no mention
of phone boxes anywhere.
Clark Kent is 17 and still discovering what he is capable of. New
powers seem to manifest themselves during times of need or stress,
though he sometimes lacks complete control over them.
In this well written and easy to read novel, Clark learns that he is
not of this world and while he wrestles with the implications of
being an alien and the super powers he possesses, he comes to
realise that he has a purpose and responsibility to earth and its
people. All this as he deals with the normal teenage issues of first
love, friendships and High school. He and his close friends uncover
an evil plot to take control of the most vulnerable in his town and
turn them into monsters against their will. This ends with Clark
having to show his true self in front of the people of Smallville to
save his friends and the day; an exciting fight ensues including
bombs, guns and taking control of a helicopter all described in
vivid detail.
In this book you will learn about some of his special powers and how
he discovers them. What his costume and cape is made of, its own
special powers and why he definitely needs it. He meets Lex Luther
for the first time in this novel, although Clark is always
suspicious of his motives they are working together in this story.
But Lex is destined to become one of Clark's most formidable
adversaries.
I enjoyed reading this story as I learned a lot about Superman and
what he can do and how he came to adopt his principles of trying to
avoid killing anyone at all costs. It kept me interested and
entertained and I would recommend it to anyone 10 years and older.
Joyce Crawford
The Genius Experiment by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Max Einstein book 1. Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781784759827.
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Orphans, Gifted children,
Inventions, Heroes and villains, Problem solving, Albert Einstein.
James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein's The genius Experiment
introduces twelve-year-old orphan Max Einstein, an amazing girl who
lives by her own rules. She's squatting above the Central Park horse
and carriage stables, attending college classes at NYU and
supporting the homeless people who live in the building with her.
She's used her home-made computer built from discarded parts to hack
into the college's systems and add her name to classes she wants to
attend. Max relies on Albert Einstein's wisdom to guide her
decisions, and all her possessions are carried in a little suitcase
filled with her mentor's quotes and memorabilia.
Two organisations are watching her every move, CMI - Change Makers'
International and The Corporation filled with shadowy sinister
people keen to use Max's genius skills for evil purposes. Typically,
they are dressed in black and out to capture and control Max. After
a brief time at a foster care facility, Max is rescued by her chess
buddy Mr Weinstock and two CMI handlers and whisked off to
Jerusalem. Before the flight, Max's able to rescue her suitcase,
feed all her friends at the stables and is pleased when she learns
they are to be taken to safe houses.
Max is guided by Einstein's wisdom, without any parental advice, she
continues a constant inner dialogue seeking answers and advice.
'Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.' The mission of
the CMI Institute is to solve some of the world's most serious
problems using science. Eight other young geniuses and Max compete
against each other to become the one chosen to lead a team tasked
with solving these problems. What shines through is Max's ability to
face new situations, creatively problem solve and see the world
through her scientific understandings. Ever-present are the evil
minions of Dr Zimm ready to capture the young girl.
The team's first mission involves a dangerous trip to the Democratic
Republic of the Congo to rescue children forced to work in the
cobalt mines. Max and her friends plan to set up solar energy panels
in a village setting up an alternate industry. When the Corporation
comes in to destroy their work, the young geniuses and their adult
helpers stand up and save the day. The Genius Experiment is jam-packed with exciting adventures,
twists and turns, humour and empathy. Max Einstein is a wonderfully
resilient individual who faces challenges head on, relying on her
own abilities and forward thinking, making the most of her life.
Endorsed by The Albert Einstein Archives, the authors have created a
tremendous beginning to a new series.
Rhyllis Bignell
Muhammad Ali by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Ill. by Brosmind. Little People, Big Dreams series. Frances
Lincoln Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781786037336.
(Ages: 5-9) Recommended. Themes: Determination, Persistence. This is
just one title in a huge collection of the Little People, Big
Dreams series (including Stephen Hawking, Ella Fitzgerald and
Coco Chanel). It is a great introduction to the life of Muhammad
Ali, told simply but with honesty. It doesn't skirt around the
controversial issues or provide a commentary on whether his choices
were wrong or right. It just presents the facts of his life and the
way he chose to live his life. It does present him as a champion,
but not for because of what he stood for but simply because he stood
up.
The biography is chronological, beginning with Ali's childhood in
Kentucky and his motivation to learn boxing (someone stole his brand
new bicycle) then progressing to his boxing career, his refusal to
fight in the Vietnam War and his work for charities. We see as he
takes his success in boxing and keeps dreaming bigger (from an
Olympic gold medal, to world heavyweight champion). His incredible
self-belief is illustrated through his rhymes (Float like a
butterfly and sting like a bee).
The cartoonish illustrations work really well, especially in the
boxing scenes, however, there is one double-page spread that cuts
Ali's face in half and ruins what is otherwise a very poignant
illustration. The bright colours keep things interesting and fun and
the text is a perfect length: short enough to keep young ones
engaged but with enough detail to be useful for school research for
older children.
The real message in Ali's inspirational story is that he stood up
for his beliefs no matter what it cost him personally and that comes
through perfectly in this book. It also highlights that one can have
a strong sense of self while also being self-sacrificing. This is a
difficult to understand but important message for any young person
today. Included in the back is a short photographic timeline and
slightly more detailed biography.
Nicole Nelson
Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Shapes trilogy, book 3. Walker Books, 2019. ISBN:
9781406384222.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: STEM, Circles, Friendship,
Humour. Inventors of the quirky books, Square and Triangle,
this Californian duo have collaborated on another book, Circle.
As with the others the simplicity of the tale is beguiling; a circle
watches on each page, the size and shape of the eyes and the
positioning of the iris giving clues as to how Circle is feeling.
He and his friends, Square and Triangle are playing hide and seek
together. Circle outlines the rules, and warns them not to go behind
the waterfall. Triangle is curious and asks why. They are told that
it is dark in there, but Triangle asserts that he is not afraid of
the dark. Readers will know that Triangle will not do as he is told,
and eagerly prepare themselves for something a little scary to
happen. Circle turns her back and counts to ten but when she turns
around, Square is still there but no Triangle. Square reports that
Triangle has gone behind the waterfall. It is then up to the brave
Circle to follow Triangle and rescue him.
The following pages follow Circle's tentative search of the area
behind the waterfall. It is dark and gets darker, and Circle calls
out for Triangle in the gloom. Eventually they find each other,
after bumping into something else in the dark, and they escape,
meeting square at the entrance. All is well, a lesson is learnt.
Klassen's illustrations are pared back, using few colours to create
the background of the game with friends. His delightful shapes with
their big eyes and roaming irises distil the feelings of each of the
three friends to the simplicity of the position of the iris. Readers
will watch the iris with satisfaction able to tell exactly what the
shapes are feeling and compare these with their own feelings as
doing something they are told not to do, or being lost in a strange
place or having a friend rescue you and welcome you back. Readers
will marvel at the pages of black simply showing two pairs of eyes
in the dark, laughing with recognition at their own fear of the
dark.
Quirky and funny, Circle will be a hit with younger
students, and initiate discussions in the classroom about following
rules, mathematical shapes, fear of the dark and friendship. An activity
kit for the series is available.
Fran Knight
Fierce fragile hearts by Sara Barnard
Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509852888.
(Age: Young Adult 15+) Recommended. Suzanne is an 18 year old who is
trying her best to live an independent life. She has a lot to prove
to her friends and family who feel she isn't quite ready to look
after herself. Suzanne is now older and has finished her therapy,
she is ready to move on. She believes going back to live in Brighton
where she belongs, will be the best place for her. Suzanne is
looking forward to being there with her best friends Caddy, Rosie
and Kel. However, 'moving on' is not how she imagined it, her one
room apartment is small and dreary, her closest friends leave to
start university, she feels abandoned and alone. Lonely and
struggling on the basic wage she earns from a coffee shop, Suzanne
develops a warm friendship with Dilys, her elderly neighbour and her
dog Clarence. Suzanne looks forward to her weekly visits with Dilys,
she uses her washing machine to do her laundry and in the meantime
they chat over cups of tea. For the rest of the novel Suzanne takes
us with her as she struggles with her past abusive family life, her
relationships with her brother, aunt and her new romantic interest,
musician Matt. We witness her many moments of self-doubt and
self-deprecation.
Sara Barnard has written this book as a sequel to Beautiful
Broken Things. The characters in this book are as vivid and
convincing as ever. These characters could easily be people one
knows and has in one's life. Their interactions are real and
natural, as friends, they are there for each other and they have
their ups and downs, but they show up when things get really tough.
I really enjoyed the way Sara Barnard gave us many examples of true
friendships and how strong relationships can withstand some serious
testing.
Most of all I enjoyed reading when Suzanne and Dilys were together,
their friendship was beautiful, nurturing and life affirming. I
loved that they had so much to offer each other in their unique
ways, they learned so much from each other without imposing on each
other. Those moments in the book were truly touching. Suzanne's
relationship with musician Matt was also touching, I enjoyed the
musical connections and liked the references to songs and music as
chapter titles.
I recommend this novel for anyone over the age of 15+ as some of the
content is mature and confronting. It is a book about mental illness
and wellness, it is about trust and dependency and the changing
nature of relationships.
4 stars out of 5.
Sandra Ciccarello
